Endothelin 1 and transforming growth factor-β1 correlate with liver function and portal pressure in cirrhotic patients.

Objective: The invasive measurement of hepatic venous pressure gradient is the recommended method for the assessment of portal hypertension. We assessed if the mediators that regulate portal hypertension may be used as noninvasive markers of portal hypertension and liver insufficiency.

Materials And Methods: We explored in prospective, observational study the concentration of endothelin-1, nitric oxide, and transforming growth factor-β1/2 in peripheral and hepatic venous blood; their relationship with the values of portal hypertension and liver insufficiency; and their level changes 4-6 months after non-selective beta-blocker therapy in cirrhotic patients with non-bleeding esophageal varices.

[Embolization of carotid arteria branch in stanching of nasal bleeding].

Background: Epistaxis is a common clinical problem, especially in otolaryngology. This disorder affects equally both genders. Most cases manifest as spontaneous nasal bleeding.

Role of interleukin-6 on RANKL-RANK/osteoprotegerin system in hypothyroid ovariectomized mice.

Postmenopausal women frequently develop hypothyroidism. Estrogen depletion is accompanied by an increase of IL-6, accelerating bone turnover. The influence of hypothyroidism on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women is poorly understood.

Interleukin-6 is not essential for bone turnover in hypothyroid mice.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of several bone diseases characterized by an imbalance between bone resorption and formation. The aim of the study was to estimate serum markers of bone turnover: osteoclast-derived tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase form 5a (TRACP 5b) and osteocalcin in IL-6-deficient mice to assess the role of IL-6 in bone metabolism in hypothyroidism in mice. C57BL/6J (wild-type; WT) and C57BL/6J(IL6-/-Kopf) (IL-6 knock-out; IL6KO) mice randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 in each one: 1/ WT mice in hypothyroidism (WT-ht), 2/ WT controls, 3/ IL6KO mice with hypothyroidism (IL6KO-ht) and 4/ IL6KO controls.

Bone mineral density and bone metabolism are not related to leptin in hemodialyzed and peritoneally dialyzed uremic patients.

Background: In chronic renal failure leptin levels are elevated and BMD decreased, however, so far data about correlations between leptin and BMD in dialyzed patients are scarce. It has been suggested that leptin is a predictor of BMD in postmenopausal women. We examined the relationships between leptinemia, BMD and bone metabolism in HD and CAPD patients.